UNAIR NEWS – The Ritus Liyan Exhibition, organized by the Airlangga Institute of Indian Ocean Crossroads (AIIOC), has been considered a success, attracting over 20 international students on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The exhibition also featured artist Redi Murti, who engaged in discussions about his artworks.
The exhibition, held from May 24-31, 2024, in Kampung Plampitan, Peneleh, Surabaya, was part of the events leading up to the 13th International Convention of Asian Scholars (ICAS).
Impressions from international student
More than 20 international students from countries such as the UK, India, and the Netherlands visited the Ritus Liyan Exhibition. They were guided through the contributors’ works and the unique aspects of Kampung Plampitan.
The students were welcomed with a dance performed by the residents of Kampung Plampitan, accompanied by the song “Surabaya Oh Surabaya.” The residents also offered them fruit salad. Highlights of the visit included artworks depicting life in Kampung Plampitan, batik made by local women, and gothic-style graves.
Jip, a student from England, shared his thoughts with the UNAIR NEWS team, stating that the visit was very interesting, as the village atmosphere was vastly different from Bali.
“This visit was wonderful and fascinating. The people, the culture, and the performances are very different from Bali,” he said.
“The fruit salad was tasty but too spicy for an Englishman like me, haha,” he added.
Artworks to empower the locals
Redi Murti, also known as Sinyo, is a Surabaya-based artist skilled in printmaking techniques. During the Ritus Liyan event, Sinyo produced two paintings for local businesses. One of these was a painting for Warung Cak Gendut, a food stall specializing in tahu telor (tofu omelet).
The painting includes elements that reflect life in Kampung Plampitan, such as the Remo dance, Dorami, tahu telor, and Cak Gendut himself. Sinyo illustrated Remo dance because Kampung Plampitan provides a nurturing environment for children. Motorists must shut down their engines in the neighborhood, and the streets are often used for dance practice. Dorami was a request from the local children while Sinyo was painting.
“To depict a space that is good for children, I included the Remo dance, Dorami, and other elements,” he explained.
Ayos Purwoaji, the discussion moderator, emphasized that Sinyo’s banner painting portrays the everyday life of Kampung Plampitan and the community’s involvement in the Ritus Liyan Exhibition.
Author: Muhammad Naqsya Riwansia
Editor: Feri Fenoria
Read also:
Ahead of ICAS, AIIOC holds “Ritus Liyan” Art Exhibition with Plampitan community
AIIOC and Etnography Museum discuss graveyard maintenance practice in Plampitan
